HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 27 



doubt, tended to increase the ill-feeling before exist- 

 ing between Mexico and the people of the United 

 States. 



CHAPTER V. 



FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR TILL ITS CLOSE. 



War was declared by Mexico against the United 

 States, in May, 1846. The same month, orders were 

 transmitted to Commodore Sloat, commanding the 

 Pacific squadron, instructing him to protect the 

 interests of the citizens of the United States near his 

 station, and to employ his forces to the best advantage 

 in operations directed against the Mexican territory 

 on the Pacific. The fleet under Commodore Sloat 

 was the largest the Americans ever sent to that quar- 

 ter,' and the men were anxious to commence active 

 operations. Soon after receiving his first orders, the 

 commodore was again instructed to take and keep 

 possession of Upper California ; or, at least, of the 

 principal ports. 



On the 8th of June, Commodore Sloat left Mazat- 

 lan, in the flag-ship Savannah, and on the 2d of July, 

 reached Monterey, in Upper California. There he 

 found the Cyane and Levant, and learned that the 

 Portsmouth was at San Francisco, as previously 

 arranged. On the morning of the 7th, Captain Mer- 

 vine was sent to demand the surrender of Monterey. 

 The Mexican commandant replied that he was not 

 authorized to surrender the place, but referred Com- 



